Ornamental apparatus with securing means for attachment to the tip of shoelaces

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the present invention, an improved shoelace ornamental apparatus is provided having a first substantially permanent apparatus attached to the tip of the shoelace and the ornamental device with an attachment means designed to engage the first permanent apparatus. The attachment means preferable consists of a screw means, but alternately can consist of a magnetic or press-fit means, snap clip or other retaining means. The body of the shoelace ornamental apparatus can be shaped as desired, such as the shape of an object or the face of a cartoon character. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a lace decorating device which can be readily applied to and removed from the tip or ends of a shoelace. Another object of the invention is to provide a lace decorating device that permits the manufacture in a variety of shapes and configurations and readily interchangeably mounted on the tip of the shoelaces. A further object of the invention is to provide a shoelace ornamental apparatus which is securely retained on a tipped lace yet is readily removed there from when desired.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an ornamental apparatus for removable attachment to the tip of shoelaces. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a series of ornamental apparatus that can be removably attached to the tip either one or the pair of shoelaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of devices have been developed which create decorative and/or functional aspects to shoelaces. Over the ages, it has been common to decorate shoes with various devices, in particular, attached to the central region of a shoe and retained by the shoelace. These devices typically take the form of famous cartoon characters or comic book characters or children's heroes and are predominately ornamental, although functional aspects are included. Such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,446,663 (C. J. Sandberg), U.S. Pat. No. 2,035,174 (W. H. McIlhenny), U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,370, (Epstein) U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,394 (D. P. Russell), U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,198 (Meier), U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,270 (Kimbrough), U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,529 (Blum), U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,127 (J. Ang), U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,371 (K. Rosenblood), and. Each of these devices either or both provides a decorative function and a shoelace retaining function.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 2,612,135 (Iny) teaches an arrangement for attaching a bell to the end of a shoelace as a decorative device. The bell is retained on the end of the shoelace by a ball-like member formed of a thermoplastic material. The member is applied by heating to soften the ball-like member and is then affixed to the end of the shoelace. This arrangement is cumbersome and difficult for young child to execute. In addition, design U.S. Pat. No. 292,442 (Wadsworth) discloses a shoe decoration in the shape of the face of a character and formed with a bore there through. The precise method of using or affixing this structure is not clear. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,552 (Kimbrough) describes a device for decorating laces formed from a body which has a first bore extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body and a second bore extending from the second end of the body. The tip of a lace passes through the first bore from the first end to the second end and is then received in the second bore and retained therein when the end of the lace extending past the first end is pulled. A full or partial wall is defined between the bores in the vicinity of the first end for retaining a loop of the lace.

None of the prior art arrangements satisfy the need for a shoelace decorating or ornamental device suitable for attaching only the tips of the laces and which are readily applied and removed by a screw, magnetic or press fit means. By providing such an arrangement, the utility and play value of the shoelace decorating device is enhanced, since the user can have a plurality of sets of such devices and alter them as the user pleases.

Notwithstanding the above-cited prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an improved shoelace ornamental apparatus is provided having a first substantially permanent apparatus attached to the tip of the shoelace and the ornamental device with an attachment means designed to engage the first permanent apparatus. The attachment means preferable consists of a screw means, but alternately can consist of a magnetic or press-fit means, snap clip or other retaining means. The body of the shoelace ornamental apparatus can be shaped as desired, such as the shape of an object or the face of a cartoon character.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a lace decorating device which can be readily applied to and removed from the ends of a tipped lace.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lace decorating device that permits the manufacture a variety of shapes and configurations and readily interchangeably mounted on the tip of the shoelaces.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoelace ornamental apparatus which is securely retained on a tipped lace yet is readily removed there from when desired.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe having one embodiment of the shoelace ornamental apparatus in accordance with the invention mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a section view of one embodiment shoelace device with the male screw threads attached to the end of the tipped shoelace and the female screw threads within the ornamental apparatus whereas the ornamental apparatus in juxtaposition with but not secured to the end of a tipped lace.

FIG. 3 is a section view of one embodiment shoelace device with the female screw threads attached to the end of the tipped shoelace and the male screw threads ornamental apparatus whereas the ornamental apparatus in juxtaposition with but not secured to the end of a tipped lace.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now referring to FIG. 1, shoe 10 is provided with a lace 12 formed with a knot 14 and having a shoelace ornamental apparatus 20 a and 20 b secured to each tip 16 end of each lace 12. The ornamental apparatuses 20 a and 20 b may be in any desired shape, preferably an ornamental shape which is suitable for decoration or has play view to a child or teenage user. By way of example, ornamental apparatus 20 a has the configuration and design of a four leaf clover and 20 b has the configuration and design of a dice. In addition, it is contemplated by Applicant that the ornamental apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1-3, can also include, but not limited to, the face and/or body of a character, such as a cartoon character, having facial features formed in or painted on the surface, a vehicle (such as a skate board, motorcycle, car), a symbol which conveys a message, letters or names in various fonts and colors, light emitting devices, or any other application ornamental apparatus. The examples and description of ornamental apparatus can consist of any desired decorative shape can be utilized and the surface can be free of ornamentation or decorated by painting or other devices.

The ornamental apparatus can be fabricated from a metallic material (steel, stainless steel, tin, aluminum and aluminum alloys, brass and brass allows, iron compounds) or a variety of polymeric materials (polyimide, high and low density polyethylene or polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS, nylon, acetyl, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene vinyl acetate, poly vinyl chloride PVC or other thermoplastic polymers. In addition, thermo-setting polymers, such as silicone or polyurethanes can be used for fabrication of the ornamental apparatus.

As more particularly shown in FIG. 2, the shoelace ornamental apparatus 20 c is provided with a cavity 39 designed for receiving and engaging a securing piece 30 narrower end 18 or in FIG. 3, a protruding piece 41 extending engaged to or comprising a protruding part of ornamental apparatus 20 d.

Generally, a shoelace 12 is provided with an essentially rigid conventional tip 16 formed of a metal (for example steel, stainless steel, tin, aluminum and aluminum alloys, brass and brass allows, iron compounds or plastic material (for example materials including polyimide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS, nylon, acetyl, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). As more particularly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, securing pieces 30 and 32 are substantially attached to the tip 16. The metallic securing piece 30, 32 is preferably crimped to the shoelace tip 16, but other technologies, such as adhesive or press fit technology can be used for both the metallic and polymeric securing pieces 30 and 32. It is only important that the securing piece 30 and 32 are engaged the shoelace tip 16 such that substantial force would be required to disengage the securing piece 30 an 32 from the shoelace tip 16. It is also anticipated by the Applicant that the securing piece can function as a shoe lace tip 16 which can be incorporated by the shoe lace manufacturer.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the shoe lace 12 is shown with a first example embodiment securing piece 30 substantially engaged or attached to the shoe lace tip 16. In this preferred example, the securing piece is crimped 31 to the shoe lace tip 16. As disclosed herein, the securing piece 30 can be engaged to the shoe lace tip 16 with other technologies, such as adhesive, latch mechanisms, and suction or press fit technology. Furthermore, the securing piece 30 can be designed to be non-removable or removable (for example, to replace damaged threads). In addition, it is anticipated by the Applicants that the attachment design can be incorporated during the fabrication process by the shoe lace manufacturer. In this example embodiment, the securing piece 30 is shown having a plurality of male threads 34 designed to engage the female threads 40 of an ornamental apparatus 20 c. The use of screw and thread technology allows an individual to easily remove and replace the ornamental apparatus with other designs. Although not shown, it is anticipated by the Applicant that the screw and thread technology used to engage the securing piece 30 to the ornamental apparatus can consist of other technologies such as ball clip technology, various spring clip designs, hook and loop technology, and/or crimped, wax, or press fit designs. It is only important that the other engaging technologies allow for relatively easy removal and engagement for permitting rapid or easy changing of the ornament apparatus with another design or ornamental piece.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the shoe lace 12 is shown with a second example embodiment securing piece 32 substantially engaged or attached to the shoe lace tip 16. In this preferred example, the securing piece is crimped 31 to the shoe lace tip 16. As disclosed herein, the securing piece 32 can be engaged to the shoe lace tip 16 with other technologies, such as adhesive, latch mechanisms, and suction or press fit technology. Furthermore, the securing piece 30 can be designed to be non-removable or removable (for example, to replace damaged threads). In addition, it is anticipated by the Applicants that the attachment design can be incorporated during the fabrication process by the shoe lace manufacturer. In this example embodiment, the securing piece 32 is shown having a plurality of female threads 36 designed to engage the male threads 38 contained with a bore in an ornamental apparatus 20 c. The use of screw and thread technology allows an individual to easily remove and replace the ornamental apparatus with other designs or pieces. Although not shown, it is anticipated by the Applicant that the screw and thread technology used to engage the securing piece 32 to the ornamental apparatus can consist of other technologies such as ball clip technology, various spring clip designs and hook and loop technology, and/or crimped, wax, or press fit designs. It is only important that the other engaging technologies allow for relatively easy removal and engagement for allow rapid or easy changing of the ornament apparatus with another design or ornamental piece. 

1. An apparatus for removably securing an ornamental apparatus to a shoe lace tip and having an intermediate securing piece, comprising: a securing piece design to be substantially engaged to a shoe lace tip; said securing piece having a proximal end and a distal end, said securing piece having a first retaining means on the proximal end and a second retaining means on the distal end; said first retaining means of said securing piece designed to substantially engage a shoe lace tip; an ornamental apparatus; said ornamental apparatus having a removable engagement means; said second retaining means of said securing piece designed to removably engage said removable engagement means on said ornamental apparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first retaining means includes a crimping zone formed in at least a portion of the proximal end of said securing piece.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first retaining means includes an adhesion zone formed in at least a portion of the proximal end of said securing piece.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first retaining means includes a press fit zone formed in at least a portion of the proximal end of said securing piece.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second retaining means includes a series of male threads formed in at least a portion of the distal end of said securing piece.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second retaining means includes a series of female threads formed in at least a portion of the distal end of said securing piece.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second retaining means includes a spring clip design formed in at least a portion of the distal end of said securing piece.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second retaining means includes a press-fit design formed in at least a portion of the distal end of said securing piece.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said removable engagement means includes a series of females threads contained within a cavity of said ornamental apparatus and design to engage the male threads of said securing piece.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said removable engagement means includes a series of male threads formed on a protruding piece of said ornamental apparatus and designed to engage the female threads of said securing piece. 